AMP EQ - Amplifying the Influence of Music Artists

DJ Jen Jones & Van Arlen
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AMP EQ™ Podcast elevates music artists through immersive, experiential interviews that bring their journeys to life. Hosted by DJ Jen Jones alongside Motivational Speaker Van Arlen, each episode captures authentic moments, untold stories, and lasting memories—amplifying every guest's voice and expanding their reach.

  1. Jul 30 ·  Video

    Sam Opoku's Journey from Ghana to the Global Stage

    In this episode of the AMP EQ Podcast, hosts Jen Jones and Van Arlen sit down with award-winning Ghanaian-American singer-songwriter Sam Opoku. Sam shares his journey from Ghana to the United States, the sacrifices his family made, and how his passion for music grew from school performances into a successful career as a recording artist and songwriter. Fresh from winning the 2025 International Songwriting Competition Grand Prize for "Old," selected from approximately 13,000 entries representing more than 120 countries, Sam explains the personal experiences behind the song. He also discusses writing for major artists, building a loyal creative team, embracing his Ghanaian heritage, and the rapid rise of his inspirational new single, "Rise Up," which is gaining recognition as an unofficial World Cup anthem. The conversation concludes with an international dessert tasting and an intimate live performance that showcases Sam's exceptional voice, range, and artistry. Sam Opoku's music and merchandise are available through ARENA Radio. AMP EQ Rewards and AMP EQ Mobile are featured sponsors of this episode.

  2. Jul 12 ·  Video

    JACOBISDEAD The Hit Maker Awakens His Own Voice with Humor

    Hit maker Jacob Luttrell brings humor and improvisation, while tasting a featured selection of Adair Family Wines during the AMP EQ podcast..  Jacob Luttrell is an American songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording artist recognized for his work across pop, hip-hop, R&B, and soul music. Originally from Fresno, California, Luttrell developed his musical foundation through church music, where he learned harmonies, piano performance, and live musicianship at an early age. He is largely self-taught and became proficient in multiple instruments, including piano, drums, guitar, and saxophone. Over the course of his career, Jacob Luttrell has built an extensive catalog of songwriting and production credits with major artists and global records. He is widely known for contributing to hit songs including: "Wild Ones" by Flo Rida featuring Sia "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)" by Enrique Iglesias Collaborations connected to artists such as Chris Brown, Pitbull, and David Guetta. Jacob also performs under the creative identity "JACOBISDEAD," a project that reflects a more personal and artistic side of his music. Through this platform, he combines live instrumentation, cinematic emotion, and modern sonic textures to create a distinctive artistic experience.  Special sponsors incentives / include AMP Mobile Rewards and AMPEQ Cash Back Rewards

  3. Jul 12 ·  Video

    Cinco de Mayo Special 2026 with Meliz & Jori

    Jori and Meliz are emerging recording artists known for their dynamic stage presence, emotionally driven performances, and genre-blending sound that connects with a new generation of music fans. Recently performing at the AMP EQ Music Festival, the artists showcased their ability to captivate live audiences through authentic storytelling, melodic versatility, and high-energy crowd engagement. Jori brings a raw and expressive style rooted in modern hip-hop and melodic rap, blending personal experiences with motivational themes and emotionally charged lyricism. His music reflects ambition, resilience, and the realities of navigating growth both personally and artistically. Known for his natural charisma and connection with listeners, Jori continues to build momentum through live performances, collaborations, and a steadily growing fan base. Meliz complements the energy with a distinctive vocal presence and a sound that merges contemporary R&B, pop influences, and melodic hip-hop elements. Her artistry is driven by emotion, individuality, and creative expression, delivering performances that balance vulnerability with confidence. Through her evolving catalog and stage performances, Meliz continues to establish herself as a rising creative voice with crossover appeal. Together, Jori and Meliz represent the next wave of independent artists embracing authenticity, collaboration, and direct fan engagement in the modern streaming era. Their appearance at the AMP EQ Music Festival further highlighted their growing presence within the independent music scene and their commitment to building meaningful connections through music and live experiences.

  4. Jul 12 ·  Video

    Wine & More With the Pipes

    The Pipes, a rising Phoenix-based band emerging from the evolution of the longtime Arizona party and live-performance group "Shallow Water", joined the AMPEQ podcast for a wine taste featuring the Adair Family Wines.  The Pipes music is built on high-energy performances, crowd engagement, and a passion for live music, The Pipes represent a refreshed creative direction with a stronger emphasis on original artistry, musicianship, and modern sound. Known for blending rock, alternative, funk, soul, and high-impact live arrangements, the band has developed a reputation for delivering dynamic performances that connect with audiences across Arizona's live music scene. Their transition from Shallow Water into The Pipes marks a new chapter focused on artistic growth, identity, and expanding their presence beyond the traditional cover-band circuit. Rooted in Phoenix's evolving music culture, The Pipes combine powerful vocals, live instrumentation, and emotionally driven songwriting with a performance style designed to create an immersive experience for fans. The group continues to build momentum through live shows, collaborations, and new music releases while establishing itself as one of the emerging acts to watch in the Arizona music community. Special sponsor incentives include Perch Mobile and AMPEQ Cash Back Rewards

  5. May 19 ·  Video

    From Sierra Leone Roots to Stadium Stages - DJ Kenzo

    Hosts DJ Jen Jones and Van Arlen welcome DJ/producer Jay Kenzo for a lively conversation about his Sierra Leonean roots, growing up in California, and early musical influences (church choir, family DJs, and African artists). Kenzo shares how he got started DJing, his education, and the origin of his stage name. He describes meeting and touring with La Russell, the impact of Russell's Tiny Desk performance, and how that collaboration led to Russell featuring on one of Kenzo's recent tracks. They discuss Kenzo's evolving career—balancing DJ and artist roles—upcoming international ambitions (Europe/IBIZA, a London hometown show), family life and wedding plans, and the creative process behind his new single "Cushe."  The hosts also highlight Arena's platform benefits for independent artists and listeners and tease Perch Mobile's upcoming news. Kenzo closes by inviting listeners to stream his new music and follow him on social media.

  6. May 11 ·  Video

    Tony Defeo - Football, Analytics, and Soundtracks

    This episode welcomes Tony Defeo, former Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sun Devil Football and veteran sports executive with 20 years of experience at the NFL and Power 5 levels. An attorney with a master's in Sport Management, Tony brings expertise from roles across football operations, analytics, and business development. Jen Jones and VA talk with him about the intersection of music, sports, and analytics. Tony previously directed Football Operations and Analytics and served as NFL Liaison for the University of Michigan, leading front office functions and overseeing analytics programs. With the San Francisco 49ers, he focused on player contract research, salary cap management, and advanced football analytics. Tony's insights into using data for competitive advantage apply broadly across sports, tech, and the music industry.

  7. May 11 ·  Video

    DJ Jen Jones and Motivational Speaker Robert Van Arlen AMP EQ Revolutionizing the Podcast Industry

    AMP EQ Revolutionizing the Podcast Industry In this episode of AMP EQ, powered by Arena Music, hosts VA and Jen Jones come together to introduce listeners to the podcast and each other. The episode delves into their backgrounds, sharing stories of how their paths crossed and what led them to create AMP EQ. The hosts share their ambitious plans for the podcast: 365 on-air shows, 24 tour events, and four special events showcasing artists in unique ways. Motivational Speaker, Van Arlen, and DJ, Jen Jones invite listeners to join them on a journey that features exclusive, behind-the-scenes interviews with music artists, industry professionals, DJs, and content curators. Their vision is to build a hyper-engaged community, fostering unprecedented connections between artists and their fans through AMP EQ. This episode sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and dynamic series, focused on celebrating music and the people who create it.

  8. May 11 ·  Video

    Leeky 2x Heartbreak Hits & Hustle: Making Music, TikTok, and the Grind

    Host DJ Jen Jones and Van Arlen sit down with rising music artist Leeky2x for an authentic conversation about the emotions and real-life experiences that shape his music. Leeky2x opens up about how heartbreak, personal struggles, and raw emotion influence his creative process, contrasting the energy of his upbeat previous tape with his upcoming slower, more melodic project that first began gaining attention last year. The discussion dives into the realities of building an independent music career in today's streaming era, highlighting the importance of hustle, consistency, and grassroots marketing. Leeky2x shares how platforms like TikTok have helped expand his reach internationally, including creative promotional strategies such as paying teens to choreograph dances, coordinating streaming campaigns, and leveraging organic social engagement to spark virality. Beyond the music, the conversation reveals the relentless work ethic required to grow as an independent artist—from personally promoting releases and collaborating in the studio to balancing creative life with passions like cooking, comedy, and connecting with fans. Overall, the interview offers an inside look at the dedication, adaptability, and day-to-day grind behind building a modern music career while staying authentic to one's artistry.

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AMP EQ™ Podcast elevates music artists through immersive, experiential interviews that bring their journeys to life. Hosted by DJ Jen Jones alongside Motivational Speaker Van Arlen, each episode captures authentic moments, untold stories, and lasting memories—amplifying every guest's voice and expanding their reach.

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